In the meantime the laird of Grange rode about the brae.... When the
Queen understood that the laird of Grange was chief of that company of
horsemen, she sent the laird of Ormiston to desire him to come and speak
with her under surety, which he did, after he had sent and obtained
leave of the lords. As he was speaking with her Majesty, the Earl
Bothwell had appointed a soldier to shoot him, until the Queen gave a
cry, and said that he should not do her that shame, who had promised
that he should come and return safely. For he was declaring unto the
Queen how that all they would honour and serve her so that she would
abandon the Earl Bothwell, who was the murderer of her own husband....
_MARY'S LAST DAY IN EDINBURGH_
The Earl Bothwell hearkened, and heard part of this language, and
offered the singular combat to any man that would maintain that he had
done it. The laird of Grange promised to send him an answer shortly
thereanent.... He offered himself first.... The Earl Bothwell answered
that he was neither lord nor earl, but a baron, and so could not be his
peer. The like answer he made to Tullibardine. Then my Lord Lindsay
offered to fight him, which he could not plainly refuse, but his heart
cooled aye the longer the more. Then the Queen sent again for the laird
of Grange, and said to him, that if the lords would do as he had spoken
to her, she should put away the Earl Bothwell and come unto them.
Whereupon he asked at them, if he might promise it to her Majesty in
their name; which they willed him to do.... Her Majesty was that night
conveyed to Edinburgh, and lodged in the middle of the town, in the
provost's lodging. As she came through the town, the common people cried
out against her Majesty at the windows and stairs, which it was a pity
to hear. Her Majesty again cried out, to all gentlemen and others that
passed up and down the causeway, declaring how that she was their native
princess, and doubted not but all honest subjects would respect her as
they ought to do, and not suffer her to be mishandled. Others again
showed their malice, in setting up a banner or ensign, whereupon the
King was painted lying dead under a tree, and the young prince sitting
upon his knees, praying, "Judge, and revenge my cause, O Lord!"[19]
That same night it was alleged that her Majesty wrote a letter unto the
Earl Bothwell.... Upon the which letter the lords took occasion to send
her to Lochleven to be kept, against promise as she alleged.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[19] Ps. xliii. 1.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1567.--July 12. Lochleven Castle.
_Guzman de Silva to the King. Spanish State Papers._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account